News

Oakland: East Bay SPCA to start a $9 million renovation

By Kristin J. Bender Oakland Tribune

Posted:
01/16/2013 05:33:06 PM PST

Updated:
01/16/2013 05:40:28 PM PST

OAKLAND -- The East Bay SPCA is beginning a $9 million renovation, including the construction of a new veterinary clinic, that will allow the shelter to temporarily house twice as many dogs and cats who need new homes.

Roughly $3 million will be spent on the new vet clinic with the remainder going to two additional classrooms for educational programs, dog training classes and community meetings.

The vet clinic was built in the 1950s and serves about 20,000 animals annually. But there is not nearly enough room. For the past five years, there has been a steady increase in the number of animals coming to the clinic, SPCA officials said.

Last year, clinic staff examined 8,147 dogs and cats, vaccinated more than 20,400 animals and did about 1,745 animal surgeries.

The new 5,000-square-foot clinic will serve many more animals while continuing to offer affordable pet exams and health care for dogs and cats, surgeries and a drop-in vaccine and microchip clinic.

The East Bay SPCA, which is located at 8323 Baldwin St. in Oakland, will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday to mark the start of construction, SPCA officials said.